4 Talking Points From Chelsea's Comeback Win Against Watford

4 Talking Points From Chelsea's Comeback Win Against Watford
14:44, 21 Oct 2017

Chelsea welcomed in-form Watford to Stamford Bridge for Saturday’s early kickoff. The champions were looking to correct a three-man winless run in all competitions and maintain their home dominance over a Hornets outfit that came into this one unbeaten on the road in the Premier League this term.

An open game ensued as Chelsea came from behind to secure a 4-2 win in west London.

Richarlison’s away day form

There was plenty of focus on Richarlison coming into Watford’s trip to Chelsea and rightly so. The arrival from Fluminense looks a perfect fit for the Premier League, with the Brazilian the hard working wideman required that comes with a three-man attack. Operating from the left before cutting onto his right, the Watford star was the Hornets’ bright spark in the opening 45 minutes.

He turned provider after the interval, laying off the crucial assist for Roberto Pereyra’s goal, and even if he missed two sitters either side of the Argentine’s strike, Richarlison is arguably Watford’s most important player, particularly away from home. Marco Silva’s side have scored 10 Premier League goals on the road this season. Of those 10, Richarlison has had a direct hand in five (three goals and two assists). Richarlison had started only 32 league games before his big money switch to Watford, but the £12m paid to secure his services looks every bit the bargain with each passing week.

Home teams will generally look to take the game to the away side, which adds to Richarlison’s significance, with the Watford attacker more than willing to drop back to help defend, all the while boasting the capacity to break forward on a whim. As the season wears on, Richarlison will be all the more important for the Hornets.

Marco Silva a strong contender for manager of the year accolade

Watford came to Stamford Bridge to not sit back and wait for chances, but instead attack Chelsea from the off, as Marco Silva said he would in the build up to the match. The Portuguese boss has enjoyed a fine start to life as Hornets head coach and he once again exhibited his managerial pedigree at the home of the champions, with his stock ever rising.

Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola are the early favourites for the manager of the year accolade, but Silva again proved that he warrants to be mentioned in the same bracket as the table topping managerial duo. The task now will be to maintain Watford’s consistency in the New Year - the Hornets have been guilty of dropping off in the second half of the season after a strong start to a campaign - but despite defeat at Chelsea, Silva’s stock continues to rise. An individual managerial accolade isn’t out of the question come the end of the season and after Watford’s strong showing at Chelsea, potential suitors will certainly monitor his situation at Vicarage Road over the coming months.

 

Pedro is Chelsea’s most important player

Pedro’s first half goal was Chelsea’s 8000th in all competitions since their formation in 1905. It was the ideal way to reach the milestone, with the Spaniard sweeping a curling effort past Gomes from 25 yards, even if there was a hint of fortune in the goal - the ball touched Eden Hazard last before rolling out of play, not that Chelsea will mind. Of the 18 Premier League goals he has bagged for the Blues, six have come from outside of the box, including both of his efforts this season. In Antonio Conte’s favoured 3-4-3 formation, the former Barcelona man is the ideal winger as one of two men flanking the lone frontman.

The 30-year-old has been directly involved in more Chelsea goals (21) than any other player in all competitions in 2017, though he is as crucial on the ball as he is off it. In the Blues’ setup, a grafting forward is required and Pedro provides that tenacity out of possession in abundance. An inclination to drift infield when Alvaro Morata pulls to the flanks allows for Pedro to exploit the space vacated by his compatriot, allowing for a more fluid Blues attacking unit.

Against Watford he popped up in all areas of the pitch to assist the defenders or in search of possession, while his versatility was required in the final quarter of the game, with Conte dropping Pedro to right wing-back before providing the assist for Michy Batshuayi’s header to level the match up. There is regularly ample praise thrust in the direction of a number of Chelsea players, but Pedro is often devoid of the plaudits. The underrated Spain international, though, was far and away Chelsea’s star man against Watford.

Watford will have to fight tooth and nail to keep Doucoure

Abdoulaye Doucoure was won of the lesser-revered summer arrivals a little over 12 months ago and it took him some time before he established himself for the Hornets last season. He was a steady performer under Walter Mazzarri when finally called upon, but Marco Silva has instead looked to build his midfield around the 24-year-old and understandably so. He’s the only Watford outfielder to play every Premier League minute this season and it’s no surprise considering his impact in the middle of the park.

The Malian controlled proceedings in the middle of the park, misplacing just one of 45 attempted passes and notched the equaliser on the stroke of half time to reinforce a strong first half showing, before following that up with a marshalling display after the interval. Doucoure deserved to be on the winning side in the encounter at Stamford Bridge and following yet another splendid showing, interest will be high in the former Rennes man, provided he can maintain his consistency as Watford’s midfield lynchpin. Watford may well find it tough to retain Doucoure’s services come the end of the season as both player a club go from strength to strength.

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